AKRON (May 10)—Goodyear is suing at least 12 companies in the U.S. and Europe for alleged price-fixing of EPDM rubber.
The suit, claiming a violation of the federal Sherman Act, was filed May 7 in federal court in Akron. Antitrust authorities in North America and Europe are conducting an investigation of EPDM suppliers over alleged price-fixing and anti-competitive practices.
Goodyear said it is a significant global purchaser of EPDM, and is seeking to recover overcharges. The company is suing Crompton Corp., Bayer A.G., Bayer Polymers L.L.C., Bayer Corp., Uniroyal Chemical Co. Inc., Dow Chemical Co., DuPont, DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C., DSM Elastomers B.V., DSM Copolymer Inc., Polimeri Europa S.p.A., Polimeri Europa S.R.L.and Polymeri Europa Americas Inc.
Crompton already has pleaded guilty to price-fixing and agreed to pay a $50 million fine. DuPont also has taken a $150 million charge against earnings to cover expected losses at its DuPont Dow Elastomers joint venture concerning the EPDM probe.
Goodyear didn´t say what compensation it is seeking. The company said it may add other defendants to its complaint in the future.